In a strange twist of fate, Max Verstappen, the three-time Formula One World Champion known for his remarkable speed on the track, faced an unusual hurdle while on holiday in Portugal.
Despite being a figure synonymous with high-speed racing, Verstappen found himself in a situation where his age, rather than his driving ability, became the deciding factor.
The ascent of Max Verstappen stands out as a particularly extraordinary tale. This young racing sensation made headlines not just for his prodigious talent but for achieving the unthinkable: competing in the world’s most prestigious motorsport before he was legally old enough to hold a standard driver’s license so it doesn’t come as a surprise that Verstappen had issues with a car rental firm
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At just 17 years and 166 days old, he made his debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix with Scuderia Toro Rosso, now known as Racing Bulls (was AlphaTauri). This remarkable feat shattered the previous record for the youngest driver to start a Formula 1 race.
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The rental company dilemma
Verstappen, who is only 26 years old, decided to rent a Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door coupe from Sixt. This particular model, renowned for its ability to reach a top speed of 195.7 mph (315 km/h), seemed an appropriate choice for someone used to speeds of 220 mph (354 km/h) in racing.
But to Verstappen’s surprise, the rental company refused him the car because of his age. The policy required renters of the high-performance vehicle to be at least 30 years old to ensure a valid insurance policy.
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The irony of age restrictions
The irony of the situation was not lost on anyone. Here was a driver who regularly competed against, and often beat, Mercedes-powered cars on the F1 circuit being told he was too young to drive a Mercedes on public roads. This restriction came despite his proven ability to handle much faster and more sophisticated cars in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1.
In an attempt to find a customer-friendly solution, Sixt offered Verstappen another premium car, a BMW 5 Series Sedan. This model, although less powerful with a top speed of 155.3 mph (250 km/h), was a far cry from the capabilities of the AMG GT.
In a twist of fate, it was Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, who ended up driving the Mercedes-AMG GT.
Sixt’s subsequent apology and policy review
Following the incident, a Sixt spokesperson acknowledged that exceptions to the age rule can be made in certain circumstances. The company apologised to Verstappen and assured him that he would be able to rent any car from them in the future. The gesture was in recognition of Verstappen’s exceptional driving skills and experience with high performance vehicles.
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The Algarve adventure
Verstappen arrived in the Algarve, Portugal, with his family and friends, flying in on three private jets. The group had hired around 20 cars from Sixt at Faro International Airport, including the controversial AMG GT. The entire party had also booked the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit for a two-day track experience, underlining the enthusiasm for speed and performance that runs deep in Verstappen and his entourage.
In the annals of Formula One, few seasons have been as dominated by a single driver as the 2023 season of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s relentless pursuit of excellence led him to a third consecutive world championship, setting new standards and cementing his place among the sport’s greats, making the Red Bull driver seems almost invulnerable. But recent developments have shown this not to be the case.
Verstappen’s season began with an air of inevitability. From the opening race in Bahrain, it was clear that he and his Red Bull Racing team had struck a near-perfect balance between car performance and strategy. His RB19 car, a marvel of engineering, was a…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Car hire refuses Verstappen a Mercedes-AMG GT because “it's too fast” - The Judge 13
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